Statistics Emphasize Importance of Car Insurance
The latest statistics regarding road accidents in South Africa should be enough to scare anyone off to run and get car insurance if they haven’t done so yet. Human error causes 57% of all accidents on South African roads, and an average of 36 people die each and every day.
The group Arrive Alive South Africa says that in a staggering 90% of car accidents on the roads, at least one of the drivers involved did not heed the laws of the road. The financial cost is also massive, with accidents costing the country R35 billion each year. These statistics show that even if we believe we are the most careful drivers, and never do anything against the law, other drivers may not be so careful and involve you in an accident unintentionally by their own habits.
Speeding remains one of the main problems in South Africa and is certainly among the top causes for accidents on our roads. In some areas of the country, disregard for speed limits are so great that an incredible 80% of drivers have been recorded to exceed the limit.
There are a number of things that drivers can do to avoid becoming another statistic on the road. These include the more obvious such as refraining from drinking alcohol before getting behind the wheel, to undertaking long journeys with another person who can share the driving and watch that the driver does not fall asleep at the wheel.
Most importantly, drivers should ensure that they have good car insurance so that their lives, those of their family and those of other drivers on the road are protected.
Article sourced via car-home-insurance.net
Categories: Vehicle / Road Safety Tags: Arrive Alive South Africa, car insurance, south africa, statistics
Genral Motors South Africa-Official Statement
General Motors South Africa statement from Steve Koch, President and Managing Director, GM African Operations
Today, General Motors announced that it would continue the rebuilding of its U.S. operations under a court supervised process. This is a progressive step which will position the company to succeed in an increasingly competitive and challenging U.S. automotive industry. In this regard, it is important to note that this code provides for reinvention – as opposed to liquidation – of the company in the U.S. during which business operations continue while the company works with Creditors to arrange a solution under Court supervision.
GM South Africa is not part of this filing in the U.S. and will not be affected by the measures announced today.
Creditors of GM in the U.S. would have no claims on GMSA as we have not guaranteed any U.S. obligations nor are any of our assets used as security for their obligations. We continue to generate our own cash and are responsible for our own viability. We are a self-sustaining operation and as such will continue to operate as normal.
Fortunately, since early 2008, GMSA has taken the tough but required actions to align our business in a manner which will make us globally competitive and allow us to sustain our operations at these low industry levels while putting us in a strong position to gain volume profitably when markets recover. We have successfully stabilised our cash balance, reduced inventory levels and continue to make progress reducing our structural costs, all directed at ensuring profitable growth in South Africa.
General Motors South Africa and our distribution partners will continue to provide full sales and aftersales backing for all our vehicles including honouring all warranties, service and maintenance plans, parts supply and all other areas of aftersales support for the Chevrolet, Isuzu, Opel, HUMMER, Saab and Cadillac brands.
We will soon break ground on our all new R250 million Pan-African Parts Distribution Centre, and we recently welcomed the first shipment of the highly anticipated Chevrolet Cruze to our shores to begin local validation testing prior to the start of sale later this year. These are simply two tangible examples of a company focused on the future with confidence and resolve.
We have operated in South Africa since 1926 and are proud of our long standing history of involvement and support in our local communities. We remain committed to the ongoing investment in our South African operations and together with our dealers have invested R4 billion since 2004, leading to a strong product portfolio backed by excellent distribution and after sales support. Our plans for investment in future product programs for assembly at our production facilities in Port Elizabeth remain on track.
Categories: Breaking News, Car Pictures, New Vehicle Prices Tags: bankruptcy, Cadillac, chevrolet, General Motors South Africa, GM South Africa, GMSA, HUMMER, Isuzu, official statement, Opel, Pan-African Parts Distribution Centre, saab, USA
A glimpse at the latest Jaguar XK
The Jaguar sports car experience moves on to a new level in 2009 with the introduction of a new generation of the XK coupe and convertible.
With all-new engines, even more dramatic looks, a new interior, and an advanced lightweight aluminium body structure, the new XK builds on 60 years of legendary performance to deliver the best of everything Jaguar.
Designated 2010 model year and available in South Africa from late June 2009, the new XK range not only stands out from the crowd, it stands apart. The combined efforts of Jaguar’s designers and engineers have produced a car that utilises advanced technologies at a higher level than ever before.
The benefits of the XK’s lightweight but incredibly stiff and strong chassis are already acknowledged. Not only does this architecture bring dynamic benefits thanks to its torsional rigidity, it also offers excellent safety and crash repair features – and provides the ideal base to optimise performance across the board, including fuel economy and CO2 emissions.
“The philosophy at Jaguar is for our designers and engineers to work together with all areas of the Jaguar business to develop elegant, inspired solutions to complex technical challenges. The result is great products – and the new XK is a perfect example.”
Mike O’Driscoll, Managing Director, Jaguar Cars
The all-new AJ-V8 Gen III engines are the most efficient Jaguar has ever produced. They deliver significantly more power and torque than the previous generation of engines: 375kW and 625Nm in the new supercharged XKR and 283kW and 515Nm in the new XK.
With the introduction of these all-new 5.0-litre direct-injection V8 engines comes a new level of performance for the XK, with improved acceleration from standstill and stunning in-gear acceleration times. All models are electronically limited to a maximum speed of 250kph, but the 0-100kph sprint for naturally aspirated coupe models falls from 6.2 to 5.5 seconds, while for the supercharged XKR coupe, 0-100kph is reduced from 5.2 to 4.8 seconds.
And yet thanks to a combination of excellent powertrain efficiency and the XK’s advanced lightweight body architecture, all XKs offer strong fuel economy and impressive CO2 emissions ratings. Fuel economy is comparable to the previous generation of XK – despite the significant increases in performance – and CO2 emissions from each engine are better than the out-going versions, with the naturally aspirated version improving on that of the 4.2-litre V8 by two percent, while the supercharged engine produces one percent less CO2 than its predecessor. Indeed, the new generation XK is among the very best in both fuel economy and emissions for any V8-engined sports car
“With an all-new, supercharged AJ-V8 engine and dramatic new looks, the new XKR has all the performance, power and panache that you expect in the ultimate sporting Jaguar.”
MIKE O’DRISCOLL, MANAGING DIRECTOR, JAGUAR CARS
Allowing the engines to optimise their power is one of the most sophisticated transmissions available. Jaguar’s acclaimed electronically controlled, six-speed ZF 6HP28 transmission offers an unparalleled combination of driver control matched to virtually undetectable gearshifts. With control either from steering wheel-mounted paddles or full automatic mode via the JaguarDrive SelectorTM, which is new for the 10 Model Year XK, the transmission is now paired with an advanced electronic differential on the XKR model to ensure it accelerates even faster, handles more precisely and sets new standards of dynamic control and excellence.
There are two core models in the new XK range: the XK and the XKR, each with its own sporting character. In addition to the many changes under the skin, the new XKs are visually different to the previous generation. Each still looks just like a Jaguar should look – seductive, powerful and elegant – but all models, coupe and convertible, introduce revised exterior styling that underlines Jaguar’s contemporary thinking on design.
Inside, quality levels are raised even further with new interior trim and finishes that demonstrate Jaguar’s renowned craftsmanship, plus even more comprehensive specification. The driver is the centre of attention, with exciting new ideas, including the acclaimed JaguarDrive Selector™, Adaptive Dynamics with Active Differential Control and comfort features such as heated and cooled seats – taking the driving experience of the new XK range to even higher levels of luxury alongside the improved performance.
“The new XK delivers more power, more performance and more technology – without compromise. It moves the Jaguar sports car experience on to a whole new level.”
Mick Mohan, Director, Jaguar Programmes
The new XK range at a glance
– New generation of Jaguar XK sports coupe and convertible
– Exterior styling revised on all models
– Advanced aluminium body architecture is strong and lightweight and the key to optimising performance, dynamic agility and competitive CO2 emissions and fuel economy
– All-new AJ-V8 Gen III direct-injection engines are the most powerful and efficient engines Jaguar has ever produced:
• 5.0-litre supercharged V8 delivers 375kW, 625Nm of torque and propels XKR coupe to 100kph in just 4.8 seconds.
• 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine delivers 283kW, 515Nm of torque and propels XK coupe to 100kph in just 5.5 seconds.
– Improved CO2 emissions performance (Euro Stage V two years ahead of European legislative requirement) and comparable fuel economy to the smaller capacity and less powerful engines they replace
– New generation of XK is true to the heritage of Jaguar’s legendary performance and offers class-leading refinement and advanced technologies
– State-of-the-art six-speed automatic transmission has seamless gearshifts, plus for the first time on the XKR model an electronic differential to optimise traction and dynamic performance
– New design features, including exciting customer-friendly technologies such as the JaguarDrive SelectorTM first seen on the XF, further enhance performance, driving dynamics and the XK range’s unique luxury sporting character.
– Now three models in the range: XK, XK Portfolio and XKR. Styling revisions include a new front bumper, new side mirrors with integrated LED side repeater, rear valance, rear LED lights and colour-coded side power vents for both coupé and convertible versions
– First customer deliveries from March 2009 in Europe, with SA deliveries starting in June, dependent on model.
All performance figures are manufacturer’s estimates.
Categories: Car Review, New Vehicle Prices Tags: 2010, AJ-V8 Gen III direct-injection engine, Jaguar, Jaguar sports car, new XK, south africa, supercharged V8
